Plumb-level.



H. BLATT. PLUMB LEVEL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1909.

Patented Sept. 6, 1910.

wmfwm I 21% J4 H. PLATT.

PLUMB LEVEL. APPLICATION FILED JUN}: 8, 190B.

Patented Sept. 6, 1910.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. Q 0 d 561 E J M aw 7 9 35 9 H. PLATT. PLUMB LEVEL. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1909.

969,654. Patented Sept. 6,1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

amwm 10 Z 176;; Piaii '0", dummy 7 19% Menu H. PLATT.

PLUMB LEVEL. APPLTOATION FILED JUNE 8, 1909.

Patented Sept. 6, 1910.

I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

17 wary Plait HENRY PLATT, OF SUFFERN, NEW YORK.

PLUMB-LEVEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 1910.

Application filed June 8, 1909. Serial No. 501,412.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY PLATT, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Suffern, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plumb-Levels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to plumb rules and has for its object to provide a comparatively simple and thoroughly efficient device of the character described -by means of which the erection of brick work and other masonry may be materially facilitated and a better grade or quality of work produced than heretofore.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plumb rule capable of being readily attached to a finished or partially finished wall and adapted to project above the same so as to form an accurate means for building any angle of wall or plumbing whatever.

A further object is to provide a plumb rule the construction of which is such as to dispense with the necessity of building the usual levels or plumbings in advance of the wall to be constructed.

A further object is to provide a plumb rule capable of being adjusted laterally and vertically to permit the construction of different styles of batters, means being also provided for attaching a line thereto when trigging.

A further object is to provide a rule having a plumb bob suspended from the upper end thereof by an adjustable bracket so as to facilitate the construction of batters.

A further object is to provide a novel form of supporting bracket for attachment to the brickwork, and means for adjusting the bracket to permit the construction of either curved or angularly disposed walls.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability, and efliciency.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form, proportions, and minorfdetails of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wall showing a pair of plumb rules constructed in accordance with my invention, in position thereon; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the plumb rule; Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the sliding block or gage, the. adjacent portions of the plumb rule being broken away; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the manner of attaching the auxiliary guiding member or brace; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the auxiliary guiding member or brace detached; Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a side elevation partly in section showing the manner of clamping the plumb rule in position on the adjacent supporting bracket; Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of one of the U-shaped spacing members detached; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of one of the supporting brackets detached, showing the manner of adjusting the same to permit the formation of an angularly disposed wall; Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the arms of the supporting bracket curved laterally to permit the formation of a curved wall; Fig. 13 is a side elevation showing the manner of adjusting the plumb rule to permit the formation of a batter; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one of the supporting brackets showing the manner of attaching the same to the brick work; Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the plumb rule showing the spirit level swung downwardly to a horizontal position; Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view showing one of the bracket supporting plates in position on a brick or block; Fig. 17 is a perspective view of one of the bracket supporting plates detached; Fig. 18 is a similar view of a mating bracket supporting plate; Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a different manner of attaching the plumb rule in position on a wall; Fig. 20 is a perspective view of one of the rule supporting brackets shown in Fig. 19 detached; Fig. 21

is a vertical sectional view of one of the clamping members of the rule supporting bracket shown in Fig. 20.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The improved plumb rule forming the subject matter of the present invention, comprises a substantially flat longitudinally disposed body portion 5 having its opposite longitudinal edges reinforced by metallic strips 6 and one end thereof provided with a clamping band or loop 7 the free end of which is projected laterally beyond the adjacent longitudinal edge of the body portion to form an extension 8 to which is attached in any suitable manner one end of a profile cord or line, indicated at 9.

The metal constituting one of the rein forcing strips 6 is bent laterally and upwardly at the lower end of the body portion 5 and thence downwardly to produce a spring clamping member 10 for engagement with the adjacent portion of the profile line or cord 9, the end of the metal constituting the strip 6 being secured in any suitable manner to the lower end of said body portion, as shown.

Slidably mounted on the body portion 5, are spaced gage members 11 each consisting of oppositely disposed plates 12 embracing the adjacent sides of the body portion 5 and having their forward ends extended lat erally beyond one of the longitudinal edges 6 of the body portion and spaced apart by an intermediate filling block 13, the working face 13 of which is flat and constitutes a smooth transverse surface against which the wall is built.

The working face of the block 13 is cut away to form a depression 14:, as are like wise the plates 12, to accommodate the mortar between the bricks of adjacent courses in a wall, the opposite ends of the side plates 12 being bent laterally to produce clips 15 adapted to engage a line or cord when the device is used for trigging.

As a means for securing the sliding gages 11 in adjusted position on the body portion or rule 5, the plates 12 of said gages are pierced by clamping bolts 16 which extend through a longitudinal slot 17 formed in the rule for engagement with wing nuts 13, so that by rotating the wing nuts 18 the plates 12 of the gages may be forced into frictional contact with the adjacent sides of the body portion and thus secure the gages in adjusted position.

Extending laterally from one side of each gage 12, is a wire 19 having its free end bent to form an eye 20 preferably disposed at the depression 14 and through which the profile line or cord 9 passes, the member 19 being also used for holding a line when trigging. The member 19 may be retained in position on the sliding gage 12 in any suitable manner, but it is preferred to detachably secure the same on the adjacent gage by means of a bar or plate 21, as shown.

Slidaloly mounted on the opposite sides of each gage 12, are plates 22 having slots 23 formed therein for the reception of bolts or similar fastening devices 24, one of the plates being adapted to be moved to extended position beyond the active face of the filling block 13 when the plumb rule is in one position and the other plate being adapted to be extended when the position of the plumb rule is reversed so as to form a right angle at the active face of the gage 11 and thus facilitate the proper plumbing of the wall, partition 01' other structure being erected.

Secured to the upper end of the body portion 5, is a bracket 25 having an angularly disposed arm 26 to which is pivotally connected at 27 an auxiliary arm 28, the arms 26 and 28 being provided with a series of notches 29 adapted to receive the adjacent end of a plumb line or cord 30.

lVhen the plumb rule is being used for constructing perpendicular walls, one end of the plumb line or cord 30 is seated in one of the notches 29 in the arm 26 with the plumb bob 31 extended to a point adjacent the lower end of the rule, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. hen it is desired to construct a batter however, the upper end of the cord 30 is caused to engage any one of the notches 29 in the auxiliary arm 28, and said arm 28 adjusted laterally on its pivot 27 until the desired inclination of the plumb rule is obtained.

Secured to one side of the rule 5 is a plate 32 having an arm 33 pivotally connected therewith and adapted to be swung downwardly at substantially right angles to the longitudinal plane of the plumb rule when the bob 31 is in use, the free end of the arm 33 being provided with a terminal recess, the wall of which is formed with a depression 34 for the reception of the adjacent portion of the plumb cord 30.

Secured to one side of the plumb rule 5, preferably near the upper end thereof, is a wear plate 35, on which is pivotally mounted a swinging plate 36 carrying a spirit level or bulb 37-. The spirit bulb or level 37 is normally retained in vertical position by a clamping screw 38, but may be swung on the pivotal axis of the plate 36 to the horizontal position shown in F 15 of the drawings, and in which position one edge of the plate 36 will bear against a stop lug or ear 39 carried by the wear plate in order to limit the tilting movement of the spirit level. The plate 35 may be provided with suitable graduations for determining the angle or inclination of the spirit level,

and in order to nicely adjust the spirit level, the plate 35 is formed with slots 40 for the reception of screws or similar fastening devices 41. Thus it will be seen thatthe plate 35 may be adjusted with respect to the adjacent face of the plumb rule, while the plate 36 carrying the spirit level may be tilted on its pivotal axis to any angle of adjustment and clamped in said position by rotating the wing nut 38.

As a means for supporting the plumb rule inposition on a finished or partially finished wall, there is provided a plurality of supporting brackets 42, each consisting of a substantially U-shaped intermediate portion having a relatively stationary arm 43 and a pivoted arm 44, said brackets being adapted to be positioned at the corners of the wall, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

In order to retain the brackets in position on the wall, suitable attaching plates 45 and 46 are provided, the plate 45 being formed with a terminal slot 47 and a de pending lip 48 adapted to bear against the exterior face of the adjacent brick or block in the .wall. The attaching plate 46 is formed with. spaced slots 49, the metal between said slots being bent downwardly to form a stop lip or lug 50 similar in construction to the lip on the plate 45. The rear ends of the plates 45 and 46 are bent downwardly and inwardly to V roduce angular extensions 51 adapted to Bear against and grip the inner face of the adjacent brick or block in the wall and thus securely retain the plates 45 and 46 in position thereon.

Attention is here called to the fact that by reason of the angle or inclination of the extensions 51 with respect to the longitudinal plane of the plates 45 and 46, said extensions will be yieldably supported in engagement with the bricks and thus efiectually clamp the plates in position on the wall without the employment of bolts or similar fastening devices.

The plates 45 and 46 are adapted to be positioned on the top of the bricks in certain courses in the wall with the slotted ears 52 formed by the lips 48 and 50 of said plates, projecting laterally beyond the exterior face of the wall and through elongated slots 53 formed in the arms 43 and 44 of the adjacent supporting brackets, thereby to permit the insertion of wedge shaped locking keys 54. Thus it will be seen that by inserting the wedge shaped locking members or keys 54 in the slots of the extensions 52, the adjacent arms of the supporting brackets will be rigidly secured to the exterior face of the wall at the corners thereof. It will also be noted that by forming the arms 43 and 44 of the supporting brackets with the slots 53, the supporting brackets may be adjusted laterally with respect to the exterior face of the wall, said slots also permitting the plates 45 and 46 to be positioned at any desired place on the adjacent bricks or blocks, said slots serving to receive the slotted extensions 52 of said plates regardless of the position of the plates with relation to the length of the brick or block.

In order to assist in bracing the members 42, the rigid or stationary arm 43 of each bracket is provided with a depending brace 55 having a slot 56 formed in one end thereof to permit the insertion of a clamping bolt 57, said brace 55 being adapted to bear against the exterior face of the wall, as best shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

Embracing the exterior face of the U- shaped portion of each bracket 42, is a yoke 58 having its opposite legs connected by a transverse pin or bolt 59, which latter extends through longitudinal slots 60 formed in the intermediate U-shaped' portion of the bracket and is provided with a terminal wing nut 61.

Threaded in an opening in each yoke 58, is an adjusting screw 62 having its inner end connected with the adjacent end of the U-shaped portion of the bracket 42 so that by rotating the terminal finger piece 63 of the adjusting screw, the yoke carrying the pin 59 may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the U-shaped portion of the supporting bracket for the purpose of moving the plumb rule toward or away from a wall.

Attention is here called to the fact that by moving the arm 44' of the supporting bracket laterally on its pivotal axis, said bracket may be used in the construction of hexagonal, octagonal or other angular walls, as best shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, while by making the arms 43 and 44 of the supporting bracket substantially concavoconvex in cross section, said brackets may be attached to a curved wall, as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. It will also be noted that the angular adjustment of the arms of the supporting brackets permit the latter to be positioned in engagement with the inner face of a wall at the corner thereof as well as in engagement with the outer face of the wall.

As a means for locking the plumb rule in the seating recesses of the supporting brackets 42, there are provided suitable U- shaped clips 64 having slots 65 formed therein and adapted to receive the adjacent transverse bolt 59, as best shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, thus to prevent vibration or tilting movement of the rule with respect to the supporting bracket, when said plumb rule is in position on a wall.

Associated with the plumb rule, are one or more auxiliary brackets 66 arranged for attachment to said plumb rule and each comprising longitudinally slotted plates having angular extensions 67 adapted to embrace the forward longitudinal edge of the rule, said auxiliary brackets being clamped in engagement with the rule by a bolt 68.

In constructing a wall, the plates 45 and 46 are positioned on the bricks in one course of the wall with the angular extensions 51 thereof engaging the rear faces of the bricks, and with the slotted extensions 52 projecting laterally beyond the outer faces of the bricks, after which the brackets 42 are positioned at the corners of the wall with the slotted arms 4-3 and 14: thereof engaging the slotted extensions 52 of the plates 45 and 46, the locking keys 5% being subsequently inserted in the slots 49 of the extensions 52 so as to lock the brackets against accidental displace ment. After two or more of the supporting brackets have been thus positioned on the wall, the plumb rule is inserted in the seating recesses of the brackets 412, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and in which position, the profile line 9 and the active face of the sliding gage 11 forms an accurate means or guide in the construction of the wall.

Attention is here called to the fact that by adjusting the upper gage 11 vertically of the plumb rule to a predetermined point above the upper course of bricks in the wall, the latter may be erected without the necessity of first building levels or pluinbings, in the usual manner.

As the building of the wall progresses and the height thereof increases, additional supporting brackets are positioned on the wall and the plumb rule removed from one set of brackets and positioned in the next higher set of brackets, as will be readily understood.

The plumb bob 31 serves to assist the workmen in alining the plumb rule, the adjustment of said rule, with respect to the brick work, being effected by rotating the thumb screw 63, as before stated.

hen trigging or filling in between walls, one end of a horizontal line is attached to the clip 15 or eye 20 on the sliding gage member of the rule at one end of the wall and the other end of the line attached to the clip 15 or eye 20 on the sliding guiding member or gage of the plumb rule at the other end of the wall as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

In constructing a batter, the plumb rule is positioned in the supporting brackets, in the manner before stated and a pin or bolt 69, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13, inserted in one of a series of openings 70 formed in the rule, the pin or bolt 69 bearing against the pin or bolt 59 of the adjacent supporting bracket and forming a fulcrum or pivot point upon which the rule is adjusted to produce the proper inclination of the same when the screw 62 is rotated, it being of course understood, that prior to rotating the screw 62, in forming a batter, the arm. 28 will be adjusted laterally on the pivot 27 so as to permit the plumb bob 31 to assume its proper position.

In constructing a new wall, one of the brackets is positioned on the bricks in the first course in the wall and the plumb rule inserted in the seating recess of said bracket and retained in perpendicular position by means of one or more inclined braces attached in any suitable manner to the upper end of the plumb rule and having their lower ends anchored in any suitable manner on the ground. As the succeeding courses in the wall are laid, additional brackets will be positioned thereon and the plumb rule adjusted vertically of the wall, as before described.

When the plumb rule is used on old walls, the supporting brackets shown in Figs. 19 and 20 are employed, these supporting brackets being similar in construction with the brackets shown in Figs. 1 and 1 1 of the drawings with the exception that the arms 71 and 72 thereof are offset at 73 in order to space the terminals 74 of said arms from the adjacent face of a finished wall.

Slidably mounted on each extension 7 1 is a clamping member including spaced arms 75 having inwardly extending stop lugs 76 and laterally extending spurs 77, the latter being adapted to be driven in the mortar between adjacent bricks in the wall until the stop lugs 7 6 bear against the exterior faces of said bricks, as best shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings, the spurs 77 being clamped in engagement with the upper and lower faces of the bricks by means of a vertically disposed bolt 78.

The extensions 74 are provided with longitudinal slots 79 which receive bolts 80 carried by the clamping members, there be ing spring plates or washers 81 bearing against the heads of the bolts so that when the wing nuts 82 are adjusted, the clamping members will be effectually locked against accidental displacement.

As the construction and operation of the device shown in Figs. 19 and 20 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive of the drawings, further description thereof. is deemed unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a bracket for at tachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket, and a gage slidably mounted on the rule and provided with a flat transverse'working face for contact with the adjacent face of the wall.

2. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket, and a gage slidably mounted on the rule and having a working face for contact with the adjacent face of the wall, the working face of the gage being provided with a mortar receiving depression.

3. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket and movable vertically of the wall within said bracket, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and provided with a fiat transverse working face for contact with the adjacent face of the wall, and means for adjusting the rule laterally with respect to the wall.

4. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket, a gage slidably mounted on the rule for contact with the adjacent face of the wall, and a bar slidably mounted on the gage and movable in a straight line to a position beyond the adjacent face of the gage.

5. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket, a gage slidably mount ed on and adjustable longitudinally with respect to the rule, said gage being provided with a flat transverse working face for contact with the adjacent face of the wall, and means for adjusting the rule to different angular positions with respect to the wall.

6. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a rule supported in the bracket, a gage slidably mounted for vertical movement on the rule and provided with a flat transverse working face for contact with the adjacent face of the wall, means for adjusting the rule laterally with respect to the wall, and means for clamping the gage in adjusted position.

7. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket, a gage slidably mounted for vertical movement on the rule and provided with a working face for contact with the adjacent face of the wall, and a plumb bob suspended from said rule.

8. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket and adjustable vertically of the wall, a gage slidably mounted on the plumb rule and having a working face provided with a mortar receiving depression, means for clamping the sliding gage in adjusted position, means carried by the bracket for adjusting the rule to different angular positions with respect to the walll, and a plumb bob suspended from the ru e.

9. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket and provided with a profile line, a gage slidably mounted for vertical movement on the rule and provided with a fiat transverse working face for com tact with the adjacent face of the Wall, and means carried by the gage for engagement with the profile line.

10. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a longitudinally slotted plumb rule supported by the bracket, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and movable to a position above the wall, and means extending through the slot in the rule and engaging the sliding gage for clamping the latter in adjusted position.

11. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket and having its opposite ends provided with transverse loops, a profile line connected with said loops, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and provided with means for engagement with the profile line, and means for clamping the gage in adjusted position.

12. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket and provided with oppositely disposed loops, a profile line attached to said loops, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and having a working face provided with a mortar receiving depression, an eye disposed at the depression in the working face of the gage and adapted to receive the profile line, and means for clamping the gage in adjusted position.

13. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket and provided with oppositely disposed loops, a profile line attached to said loops, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and having a working face provided with a mortar receiving depression, an eye disposed at the depression in the working face of the gage and adapted to receive the profile line, a laterally adjustable bar carried by the sliding gage, means for locking the gage in adjusted position, a bracket secured to the upper portion of the rule, an arm pivotally connected with the bracket and provided with spaced notches, and a plumb bob suspended from one of the notches in the arm.

"14c. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a plumb rule supported by the bracket, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and having a working face provided with a mortar receiving depression, a profile line attached to opposite ends of the rule and extending across the working face of the sliding gage, and an auxiliary bracket detachably secured to one longitudinal edge of the rule for engagement with the adjacent face of the wall.

15. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a longitudinally slotted plumb rule supported by the bracket and provided with oppositely disposed loops, a profile line attached to said rule, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and formed with oppositely disposed plates having laterally bent portions constituting clips for attachment to a line, a filling member interposed between the plates and having a working face provided with a mortar receiving depression, a bolt connecting said plates and extending through the slot in the rule for clamping the gage in adjusted position, and a bar slidably mounted on the gage and movable to extended position at right angles to the working face of the gage.

16; The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a rule supported by the bracket, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and having a working face for contact with the wall, a sliding bar movable to ex tended position at substantially right angles to the working face of the gage, and means for clamping the gage in adjusted position.

17. The combination with a bracket for attachment to a wall, of a rule supported by the bracket, a profile line carried by and spaced from one longitudinal edge of the rule, a gage slidably mounted on the rule and having a working face provided wit-l1 a mortar receiving depression, a bar secured to one side of the gage, and a rod interposed between the bar and body of the gage and having its terminal portion formed with an eye registering with the depression in the working face of the gage to permit the passage of the profile line.

18. The combination with a bracket for attachment to awall and provided with laterally extending arms adjustable at an angle to each other, a plumb rule supported by the bracket, a gage slidably mounted for longitudinal movement on the plumb rule, and means carried by the bracket for adjusting the rule to different angular positions with respect to the wall.

19. The combination with a bracket having a substantially U-shaped portion and provided with relatively stationary and movable arms, a yoke slidably mounted on the U-shaped portion of the bracket, a bolt connecting the arms of the yoke and extend ing through slots in the bracket, a plumb rule seated in the U-shaped portion of the bracket and provided with a slot to accommodate said bolt, a gage slidably nidunted on the plumb rule, means for clamping the gage in adjusted position, and neans for ad-' justing the yoke to move the plumb rule toward or away from the wall.

20. The combination with a bracket having a. substantially U-shaped portion and provided with slotted relatively stationary and movable arms, attaching plates adapted to engage a wall and provided with slotted portions extending through the slots in the arms of the brackets, wedges seated in the slotted portions of the plates, a plumb rule seated in the U-shaped portion of the bracket, a gage slidably mounted 011 the plumb rule, a yoke carried by the U-shaped portion of the bracket, a pin extending through the yoke and U-shaped portion of the bracket and engaging the plumb rule, and a screw carried by the yoke and engaging the adjacent U-shaped portion of the bracket for adjusting the plumb rule at an angle to the wall.

21. The combination with a substantially Ushaped bracket having slotted relatively stationary and movable arms, attaching plates. adapted to embrace a brick in one of the courses of the wall and each having one end thereof bent to produce an angular eX- tension, and its other end bentdownwardly to form a stop lip defining longitudinally slotted extensions adapted to project through the slots in the arms of the adjacent bracket, a yoke slidably engaging the U-shaped portion of the bracket, a pin extending through the yoke and slots in the bracket, a plumb rule seated in the U-shaped portion of the bracket and provided with a longitudinal slot for the reception of the bolt, a gage slidably mounted 011 the plumb rule, and an adj usting screw carried by the yoke and bearing against the U-shaped portion of the bracket for adjusting the rule at an angle to the wall.

I11 testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY PLATT. [L. s.] lVitnesses:

ALFRED B. RoNK, AeNns C. CULLnN. 

